The Best Historical Organized Tours in New Zealand
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries
Are you ready to satisfy your wanderlust and ignite your curiosity for the past? These top rated historical and cultural tours to New Zealand offer a unique blend of exploration, education, and relaxation. With meticulous analysis of a wide array of organized tours, holiday packages, and tour packages based on service, price, comfort, guest ratings, and activities, we've handpicked the most captivating experiences to help you plan your next trip. From immersive guided tours to off-the-beaten-path excursions, these fantastic and well-planned guided tours are designed to provide a perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. Great for beaches, hiking, family-friendly activities, and romance, it's easy to see why New Zealand is such a fun destination. Get ready to embark on a journey that will leave you with lifelong memories and a deeper appreciation for the heritage that has shaped our world.
The Best Historical Tours through New Zealand
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does New Zealand appeal to history enthusiasts?
New Zealand captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. Auckland, Rotorua, and Napier offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Fiordland National Park is known for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.
How much do historical tours in New Zealand cost?
The average daily price of Historical Tours in New Zealand is $410 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Historical Tours in New Zealand here.
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Which Tour Companies Offer Historical Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical tours in New Zealand. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
AAT Kings
AAT Kings is a smaller tour company that focuses on Australia and New Zealand. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. The tours offered by AAT Kings are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, snorkelling, diving, dolphin watching, and island hopping.
Intrepid Premium
Intrepid Premium is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, Argentina, Croatia, and Chile. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The tours offered by Intrepid Premium are usually luxurious, high-end, and provide a top-tier level of service.
See All Tours from Intrepid Premium
Topdeck
Topdeck is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as snorkelling, island hopping, and sledging.
Historical Destinations in New Zealand
Wondering where historical tours visit in New Zealand? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.
Auckland
Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.
Rotorua
Rotorua is a town on New Zealand's North Island that is surrounded by geothermal activity and is filled with Maori culture. There are geysers, hot springs, and cultural villages in the area that make this a highlight for any traveler. Many visitors also enjoy a visit to the charming and whimsical Hobbiton, from the Lord of the Rings movies.
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Other popular destinations for historical tours through New Zealand include Franz Josef, Bay of Islands, Wanaka, Hokitika, and Omarama.
Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're debating whether to plan your trip solo or join a guided tour, take some time to reflect on the pros and cons of both options.
Organized Tours
- Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
- Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
- Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
- Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
- Save time on researching destinations.
- Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
- Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
- Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
- Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
- Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
- Less flexibility in the itinerary.
- Group size might impact the experience.
Independent Travel
- Full control over your itinerary and pace.
- Focus on sites that interest you most.
- Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
- Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
- Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
- Requires time-consuming research to plan.
- Risk of missing key details without a guide.
- May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
- Difficult to understand the full historical context.
- Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
- No expert to answer questions during your visit.
- Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
- Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided historical tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Day Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 3-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in New Zealand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in New Zealand, The Best Cultural Tours in New Zealand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in New Zealand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in New Zealand, The Tours for Animal Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Photography Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Self Drive Tours in New Zealand, The Best Walking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, or The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Christchurch, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Wellington, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Queenstown, The Best 10-Day Tours from Christchurch, The Best 10-Day Tours from Auckland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Wellington, The Best 2-Week Tours from Auckland, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Christchurch for more package tour options.
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